Business
Profile: Angela Reed – founder and CEO Bougie Magazine
2. What made you divulge your creative energies into launching a business? Had your past experience helped you to undertake running a business and do you do this full time?
Bougie started with a consult to a potential client to put a hair show together a hair show (I am a Event Planner) I wanted to help the client effectively market those participating in the show not only before the event but afterwards and I suggested a directory the more we talked about it the directory blossomed into the concept of a magazine and Bougie was born. Very much so. I looked at starting this magazine as putting together a long term event you have to have a theme, a timeline and a solid deadline to get proven results just like putting together a great event. Yes I do this full time and wouldn’t trade it!
3. Can you tell us about your background and experience and any type of schooling you had?
Interesting question. If someone had told me I’d be running a magazine I wouldn’t have believed them! My background is in events I’ve been planning something for someone since 1997. I’m a certified event planner, I love to write and always have but never pursued it. I consider this a huge advantage because I find it very easy to talk to my readers, for them to communicate with me and be attentive to their needs (as an event planner does) and I understand what they want to read about. This helps me put together the issue and put together events for Bougie as well.
4. Can you share with our readers a little bit about how your magazine and events work?
Bougie is virtual but very user friendly it functions as a paper publication just online. Our ads are click able for example if you like the item the model is wearing you can click on it and purchase and or go to the designers site for more information. If you like the hairdo you can do the same and even make an appointment with the stylist. Events for Bougie range from network brunches to fashion shows to community awareness events. We also do designer competitions once a year.
5. Can you share with the readers your best experience in the industry as well as the not so glamorous realities they will face or any obstacles they should be aware of in the industry that you work in?
I have to say my best experience so far is knowing that Bougie is a publication that is actually wanted and anticipated. Knowing that I have the platform given to me paved the way for someone in the industry we target is priceless. The not so glam I would have to say is that some people don’t realize what it actually takes to put together a publication it’s not pictures and articles everything has to blend if one thing is out of sync it can ruin the whole issue so it’s crucial to have a solid staff and design team.
